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Posts tagged ‘Matthew 16:18’

Matthew 20:20-23 – A Selfish Request Rejected

|| Mark 10:35-40

MT20:20 Later[1] the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and bowed[2] wishing to ask a favor from him. MT20:21 Jesus asked her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Promise[3] that my two sons may be enthroned with you[4] in your kingdom – one on your left and one on your right.” MT20:22 But Jesus answered her, “You do not realize[5] what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?”[6] The [two disciples] said, “We are able!” MT20:23 Jesus told them, “You will really drink my Cup. However, this sitting on my right and left is not my decision to make.[7] Rather it belongs to those my Father has prepared.”[8]

[5]You do not realize: It is likely this is directed at the two disciples, James and John, also called the “sons of thunder.” The parallel accounts have them making the request (likely through their mother). Or, NEB: you do not understand; MON: none of you know what you are asking.

[6]To drink the cup I am about to drink: The KJV adds: baptized with the baptism. The “cup” is something to drink, share, or partake of. Compare notes on Matthew 26:39 (Mark 14:36; John 18:11). Paul says something similar at Romans 6:3-5. The disciples are destined to share a fate and life course similar to their Lord.

[7]Not my decision to make: Literally, KJV: not mine to give. It seems evident that there are certain matters that are the prerogative of the Father. Compare Acts 1:7. The Son has limited authority and knowledge while the Father’s is absolute.

[8]It belongs to those my Father has prepared: Or, KJV: it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared; KNX: it is for those for whom my Father has destined it; NEB: it is for those to whim it has already been assigned. The conclusions drawn from this are many. Some see predestination here. Others hold different views. It is interesting that the Nazarene just doesn’t say there are no such privileged positions in heaven. The whole subject still relates back to the appointment of Peter in Matthew 16:18 and the ongoing argument over who is the greatest among them. We ourselves are embarrassed that two of the apostles would get their mother to ask the Lord for this privilege. How the others felt we will now see.

The Greek word translated “prepared” is HETOIMASTAI. “Strong’s #2090 HETOIMAZO {het-oy-mad’-zo} from 2092; TDNT – 2:704, 266; AV – prepare 29, make ready 10, provide 1; 40. 1) to make ready, prepare; 1a) to make the necessary preparations, get everything ready; 2) metaph. 2a) drawn from the oriental custom of sending on before kings on their journeys persons to level the roads and make them passable; 2b) to prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure his blessings.” The main idea may be no more than that God has purposed something according to His will and thus has made all the preparations necessary to accomplish this.

Matthew 13:24-30 – Parable of the Field and the Harvest

MT13:24 Another parable Jesus put before them, saying, “The Realm of Heaven[1] may be compared to[2] a man sowing good seed in his field. MT13:25 But, while men were sleeping his enemy arrived and over-seeded zizania[3] among the wheat and then left. MT13:26 Now when the [wheat] sprouted and produced fruitage there also appeared the zizania. MT13:27 So, the slaves approached the landlord[4] and asked him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?’ MT13:28 The landlord answered them, ‘An enemy did this.’ The slaves asked, ‘Do you want us to go and cull-out[5] the zizania?’ MT13:29 But, the landlord told them, ‘No, for by accident while culling the zizania you uproot the wheat also.[6] MT13:30 Go and let both of them grow together until the harvest. Then in the harvest season I will tell the harvesters,[7] “Gather first the zizania and bind them into bundles to be burned. But, the wheat gather into my storehouse.”’”[8]

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[1]Realm of Heaven: Not the seat of government, but the realm or domain over which the King reigns: the realm of profession – the Church. See notes on Matthew 10:9 and Matthew 13:11. Research the word group kingdom.

[3]Zizania: Generally this plant (Lolium temulentum) is called either tares or the “bearded darnel.” (KJV) Or, MOF: weeds. When young it resembles wheat but with maturity it turns black and stands up straight, while wheat is golden and bows its head (See Bible dictionaries). William Barclay observes: “The tares and the wheat are so like each other that the Jews called the tares bastard wheat. The Hebrew for tares is zunim, whence comes the Greek ZIZANION; zunim is said to be connected with the word zanah, which means to commit fornication.”

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